The nutrition transition and adequacy of the diet of pregnant women in Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to assess the nutritional adequacy of the diet of pregnant women in Kenya. A nationally representative sample of women aged 15 years (N=1061) was assessed in Kenya. A sub-sample of pregnant women (N=53) were randomly included in the group and their data is presented here. A 24-hour dietary recall was conducted with each participant and dietary diversity score (DDS), food variety score (FVS) and mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) were calculated. The results mean energy, protein, fibre, calcium and zinc intakes were below the recommended allowances (RDA). Very low mean intakes were also recorded for vitamin D, niacin, folate and vitamin B6. Fat and carbohydrate intakes exceeded the RDA. The dietary pattern showed aspects of the nutrition transition, namely a high fat, low fibre, and high carbohydrate intake as well as typical aspects associated with food insecurity, namely low energy and protein intakes, and a low dietary diversity.